Secondary Weapon Guide - How to Switch & Recommended Sub-Weapon

Secondary Weapon Guide for Monster Hunter Wilds (MH Wilds / MHWs). Learn how to switch weapons, recommended sub-weapons, best second weapon, controls, and more!

Recommended Sub-Weapons

Heavy Bowgun & Hunting Horn

The recommended sub-weapons for Monster Hunter Wilds are the Heavy Bowgun and Hunting Horn. Both weapons have methods to increase damage for yourself and allies.

Boost Damage with Demon Ammo

Heavy Bowgun is a great sub-weapon as it provides a damage buff for yourself and your allies for 3 minutes with Demon Bullets. Additionally, you can inflict status ailments such as sleep or poison with their respective bullets.

Light Bowgun Likely to have Demon Bullets

During the beta test, only the Heavy Bowgun could shoot Demon Bullets. However, in the final version, there is a high possibility that the Light Bowgun will also be able to shoot Demon Bullets. If that is the case, Light Bowgun will also be recommended as a sub weapon.

Hunting Horn Provides More Buffs

The Hunting Horn also increases damage for yourself and allies with the Melody's Attack Boost. On top of this, you can also apply various buffs such as Defense Boost. If you want a wide range of support utility, the Hunting Horn is recommended. However, 'Self Improvement' buff will only be activated when you are using Hunting Horn and will not activate on other weapons.

Buffs Retained when Switching Weapons

After playing the Hunting Horn and activating its effect, the Melody Effects will not disappear even if you switch weapons. When the Melody Icon on the upper left disappears, switch back to the Hunting Horn to reapply the buffs.

Use a mix of Melee & Range Weapons

For hunters who primarily use short-range weapons, having a long-range weapon is also recommended, as it allows you to attack otherwise difficult to reach parts, such as breaking parts of a flying enemy.

Bring a Severing & Blunt Weapon

It is also useful to have both severing and blunt weapons at your disposal. Some monster parts can only be broken with blunt or severing attacks, so having both allows you to handle a wider range of situations.

Bring Weapons with Different Elements

Another option is to equip weapons with different elements. When hunting multiple monsters in the same quest, they will likely have different weaknesses. If you have a weapon with a different element for each monster, you won’t have to return to camp.

Monster Hunter Related Articles

Useful Information

Game System

Character Creation Guide	Character Creation Recipes	Recommended Settings
Join Multiplayer	SOS Flare Guide	How to Change Name or Rename
Friend Request Guide	Hunter ID Guide	How To Cook
Layered Armor Equipment	How to Play Solo Online	FPS Comparison & Settings
How To Join a Lobby	Skip Button Guide	Arachnophobia Assistance
Craft Guide	Individual Strength Guide	Save Data Guide
Wound Guide	How to Hide Head Armor	How to Link Party
Receptionist Alma	Error Guide	Beginner's Guide
Support Hunter	How to Display FPS	Voice Chat Guide
Seikret Customization	Supply Items	Character Edit Voucher Guide
How to Lock-on	How to Pause	Photo Mode
Common Wood Minnow	Fishing Rod Guide	Whetstone Guide
Portable BBQ Grill	Camping Kit	Palico Guide
Tent Guide	How to Capture Monsters	Field Survey Quest
Mending Mantle	Canteen Guide	Support Ship Guide
Limited bounties	Login Bonus Guide	Nu Yaya Guide
Peony Sparklerjelly Guide	Layered Armor Outfit	Arch-Tempered Rey Dau Guide
Arena Quest Guide and Rewards	King of a Faraway Sky	Anguish and Atrocity
Congalala Cravings	When Do Quematrice Sing?	Doshaguma of the Hollow
Barrel Bowling Guide	Arena Chatacabra Quest	Diva Buff Effects
High Rank Guide	Wyvern's Wakening Guide	How to Edit and Send Stickers
Poogie	Cosmetic DLC Guide	How To Change Gender
How to Edit Shoutouts	Resting	Gathering Boosts - Effects and Rewards

Hunting / System Guide

Basic Controls	Combat Tips	How to use Focus Mode
What is a Wound?	Seikret Guide	Training Ground Location
Power Clash Guide	Offset Attack	Sneak Attack
How To Mount Monsters?	Radial Menu Guide	How to use Binoculars
How to Grill Meat	Capture Net	Ghillie Mantle
Slinger Guide	Large Barrel Bomb	Secondary Weapon
Evasion Guide	Perfect Evade	Radial Menu Guide
Perfect Guard	How To Switch Weapons	How to Reach HR 100
Lucky Voucher	Loadout	Research Help: Monsters

Map Information

Pop-up Camp List	How to Fast Travel Guide	Where to get Ore
Where to get Bone Material	Fish List & Fishing Spot	Endemic Life
Slinger Ammo	Check & Change Environment	The Grand Hub

Recommended Information before Purchasing

Release Date & Platforms	Save Data Bonuses	Pre-Order Bonuses
Recommended Specs	PS5 & PS5 Pro VS PC: Specs Comparison	Controller & Set Up Guide
Differences in Edition	How To Crossplay Guide	When Steam Version will be Released?
Will It Be Released On The Switch Or PS4?	Character Profiles and Voice Actor List	Predictions & Speculations
New Features	Storage & File Size Guide	How To Download Benchmark
Weapon Adjustments	Should You Buy an Xbox?	Fairy Light Pendant DLC

Useful Information

Game System

Character Creation Guide	Character Creation Recipes	Recommended Settings
Join Multiplayer	SOS Flare Guide	How to Change Name or Rename
Friend Request Guide	Hunter ID Guide	How To Cook
Layered Armor Equipment	How to Play Solo Online	FPS Comparison & Settings
How To Join a Lobby	Skip Button Guide	Arachnophobia Assistance
Craft Guide	Individual Strength Guide	Save Data Guide
Wound Guide	How to Hide Head Armor	How to Link Party
Receptionist Alma	Error Guide	Beginner's Guide
Support Hunter	How to Display FPS	Voice Chat Guide
Seikret Customization	Supply Items	Character Edit Voucher Guide
How to Lock-on	How to Pause	Photo Mode
Common Wood Minnow	Fishing Rod Guide	Whetstone Guide
Portable BBQ Grill	Camping Kit	Palico Guide
Tent Guide	How to Capture Monsters	Field Survey Quest
Mending Mantle	Canteen Guide	Support Ship Guide
Limited bounties	Login Bonus Guide	Nu Yaya Guide
Peony Sparklerjelly Guide	Layered Armor Outfit	Arch-Tempered Rey Dau Guide
Arena Quest Guide and Rewards	King of a Faraway Sky	Anguish and Atrocity
Congalala Cravings	When Do Quematrice Sing?	Doshaguma of the Hollow
Barrel Bowling Guide	Arena Chatacabra Quest	Diva Buff Effects
High Rank Guide	Wyvern's Wakening Guide	How to Edit and Send Stickers
Poogie	Cosmetic DLC Guide	How To Change Gender
How to Edit Shoutouts	Resting	Gathering Boosts - Effects and Rewards

Hunting / System Guide

Basic Controls	Combat Tips	How to use Focus Mode
What is a Wound?	Seikret Guide	Training Ground Location
Power Clash Guide	Offset Attack	Sneak Attack
How To Mount Monsters?	Radial Menu Guide	How to use Binoculars
How to Grill Meat	Capture Net	Ghillie Mantle
Slinger Guide	Large Barrel Bomb	Secondary Weapon
Evasion Guide	Perfect Evade	Radial Menu Guide
Perfect Guard	How To Switch Weapons	How to Reach HR 100
Lucky Voucher	Loadout	Research Help: Monsters

Map Information

Pop-up Camp List	How to Fast Travel Guide	Where to get Ore
Where to get Bone Material	Fish List & Fishing Spot	Endemic Life
Slinger Ammo	Check & Change Environment	The Grand Hub

Recommended Information before Purchasing

Release Date & Platforms	Save Data Bonuses	Pre-Order Bonuses
Recommended Specs	PS5 & PS5 Pro VS PC: Specs Comparison	Controller & Set Up Guide
Differences in Edition	How To Crossplay Guide	When Steam Version will be Released?
Will It Be Released On The Switch Or PS4?	Character Profiles and Voice Actor List	Predictions & Speculations
New Features	Storage & File Size Guide	How To Download Benchmark
Weapon Adjustments	Should You Buy an Xbox?	Fairy Light Pendant DLC